Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
If you’re passionate about helping individuals, families, groups and communities with a variety of challenges, the online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) may be an ideal fit. Offered through Arizona State University’s School of Social Work, this program will provide you with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to pursue a rewarding career. You’ll graduate equipped to provide direct services and make an impact in your community.
Quick facts
Next start date: 08/22/2024
Total classes: 40
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Degree questions, answered.
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Be a positive force in the world with a career in social work
Earning a BSW will prepare you to become a social work generalist who provides services to people across the lifespan. Social workers interact with a range of people from individuals and groups to communities and larger societal systems. As a social worker, you’ll engage in direct practice with those affected by issues related to mental health, aging, child maltreatment, criminal sentencing, disability policy, human rights and more.
This program is open to those with a variety of backgrounds. Whether you work or volunteer in direct services environments or broad areas of social service, you may be a good fit for the online BSW. Standout candidates have a passion for working with people and want to address complex social issues that impact vulnerable communities.
The skills you’ll develop in this online BSW
In this program, you’ll take courses sequentially, allowing you to build a foundation in social work concepts and apply them in practice. The curriculum is designed to build your abilities as a social work generalist. Key areas of learning include advocacy, consultation and education, as well as providing direct services. Career-focused skills you’ll build center around:
- Assessment.
- Engagement.
- Evaluation.
- Intervention.
- Intake.
- Research.
Additionally, if you want to pursue advanced positions in social work, you can earn an advanced standing Master of Social Work in as little as one year after graduating with your BSW. Note: you must meet all admission requirements to be admitted.
Professional certification and licensure
ASU offers programs that lead to professional licensure with the State of Arizona and may allow graduates to be eligible for licensure in other states. Please check our professional licensure page for Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions to determine if this program meets the requirements in your state.
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Online BSW courses
Your courses will cover a range of topics from micro and macro human behavior to ethics and whole-person health. In your last two semesters, you’ll apply the concepts and skills you’ve learned to a 480-hour practicum in your geographic region. Practicum sites can include hospices, youth organizations, community centers and other settings that involve providing support services.
SWU 291: Social Service Delivery Systems
SWU 295: Foundations of Social Work Practice (SB & C)
SWU 303: Micro Human Behavior and the Social Environment (SOBE OR L or SB)
SWU 306: Ethics in Social Services (HUAD OR L)
SWU 311: Integrative Social Work Practice
SWU 312: Integrative Social Work Practice Skills
SWU 320: Research Methods in Social Work
SWU 340: Macro Human Behavior and the Social Environment (SOBE OR SB)
What you can do with a BSW
Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for roles providing direct services to people of all ages, especially those in marginalized communities. Career settings with a growing demand for social workers include mental health, behavioral health and more. As a generalist, you can pursue opportunities as a policy advocate, support specialist, mental health specialist, behavioral health professional, community outreach worker and school social worker. Additional potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to:
Addictions Counselor
Behavioral Health Specialist
Counselor (General)
Human Behavior Researcher
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
Medical Social Worker
Mental Health Counselor
Social Services Director
Social Worker
Study alongside leading faculty in social work
The impressive faculty at the School of Social Work are inspiring the next generation of social workers through real-world solutions to issues related to areas such as child welfare, family violence, health and mental health disparities, human trafficking and water scarcity. Our faculty are amongst the most prolific social work researchers in the country and many of the texts used in social work programs across the country were written by faculty who teach in our BSW online program. Our faculty include:
- 7 Fellows of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.
- 11 Fellows of the Society for Social Work and Research.
- 5 Fulbright Scholars.
Study alongside leading faculty in social work
The impressive faculty at the School of Social Work are inspiring the next generation of social workers through real-world solutions to issues related to areas such as child welfare, family violence, health and mental health disparities, human trafficking and water scarcity. Our faculty are amongst the most prolific social work researchers in the country and many of the texts used in social work programs across the country were written by faculty who teach in our BSW online program. Our faculty include:
- 7 Fellows of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.
- 11 Fellows of the Society for Social Work and Research.
- 5 Fulbright Scholars.
How to apply
first-year student
You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Nationally recognized public service programs
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our public service programs, from public policy, to social work, to criminal justice, to emergency management, are designed to help prepare our diverse student body to make a difference in the community.
#11
in social work research, according to the National Science Foundation, 2023.
#16
public school of social work, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2023.
#1
in the U.S. for innovation, according to U.S. News & World Report, 9 years, 2016–2024.
#1
public university in the U.S. chosen by international students, according to the Institute of International Education, 2022.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
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